Symphony No. 4 (Beethoven)

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Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B Flat Major, Op. 60, was written in 1806.

Contents

[edit] Background

The work was dedicated to Count Franz von Oppersdorff, a relative of Beethoven's patron, Prince Lichnowsky. The Count met Beethoven when he traveled to Lichnowsky's summer home where Beethoven was staying. Von Oppersdorff listened to Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D Major, and liked it so much that he offered a great amount of money for Beethoven to compose a new symphony for him. The dedication was made to "the Silesian nobleman Count Franz von Oppersdorf".[1]

[edit] Instrumentation

The symphony is scored for flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B flat, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in B flat and E flat, 2 trumpets in B flat and E flat, timpani and strings.

[edit] Form

There are four movements:

  1. Adagio – Allegro vivace
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro – vivace
  4. Allegro ma non troppo

The work takes about 33 minutes to perform.

[edit] Reception

Although all nine of Beethoven's symphonies are widely performed, the Fourth is less often performed than some of the others. Robert Schumann described Symphony No. 4 as a "slender Greek maiden between two Norse gods", referring to the 3rd and 5th Symphonies, both with towering reputations.

[edit] Performance

The sound files are from a performance by the Skidmore College Orchestra.

 First movement

1st movement: Allegro vivace

Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems listening to the file? See media help.
 Second movement

2nd movement: Adagio

Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems listening to the file? See media help.
 Third movement

3rd movement: Allegro molto e vivace

Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems listening to the file? See media help.
 Fourth movement

4th movement:Allegro ma non troppo

Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Paul Netl (1976) Beethoven Handbook. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., p. 262

[edit] External links


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Ludwig van Beethoven
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Symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven